Washington Monument in May
May at Washington Monument averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 58°F, with about 3.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 58°F
- Average high
- 77°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 45,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes May the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (1.3×) and the February low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 65/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 67°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 31% of annual visitors, choosing May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 14.1 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 247,208 recreation visits, down 0.6% from 248,750 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 38.5%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 68°F / 48°F | 1.0× Average | 60 Good |
| May | 77°F / 58°F | 1.1× Average | 65 Good |
| June | 85°F / 68°F | 1.2× Busy | 50 Fair |
All twelve months at Washington Monument, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 77°F and an overnight low around 58°F at Washington Monument, with about 3.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at Washington Monument (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 65/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is February. May sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 45,000 recreation visits at Washington Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Washington Monument in May
Booking a May trip to Washington Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Washington Monument
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.